Pre-E3 2009: Ninja Destiny Returns to DS

The Naruto franchise is stronger than ever, and to prove that TOMY has announced details on two new games for Nintendo Wii and DS today exclusively through IGN. On Wii, Clash of Ninja Revolution 3 makes its way onto Nintendo's console, bringing the first online offering in the Clash of Ninja series thus far. On DS, it's back to what works for Ninja Destiny, as the sequel – officially named Naruto Shippuden: Ninja Destiny 2 – is poised to hit pockets everywhere this September.

If you don't know the Ninja Destiny series yet, get to know it. It's the greatest thing since pocket-sized sliced bread. TOMY has taken everything that worked in the Clash of Ninja series, and pulled out all the stops on DS, offering even more fighters than on Wii, two player support (still no online this year, but we got it on Wii, so we'll be content… for now), a huge list of venues and modes, and stronger 3D than most of the competition. It's a full-on 3D fighter for DS, and it's the only game to rival Bleach's success stateside.

That looks like a tiny version of the Wii game, and that's in no way a bad thing.

Ninja Destiny 2 will feature a story based on the first two arcs of the new Shippuden storyline, as well as new characters and re-upped jutsu techniques. An all new quest mode sits at the forefront of it all, including full 3D overworld movement, maze-based dungeons, item collection varied environments pulled from the new series, and from the sounds of it a sort of level up system. The game boasts the ability to "defeat opponents and improve character performance," so that sounds like some RPG-lite gameplay right there.

As mentioned there's even more characters here than in the upcoming Wii game, including 34 playable members from the show – Akatsuki being one of them – and a big emphasis on the impressive 3D engine. Wireless support makes a return from the original as well, allowing you to go head-to-head with friends. No word thu s far on if you can bring any powered up characters from story mode into bouts.

We'll have a whole lot more on this – as well as the Wii game – as we near fall, and you just might see some more Naruto action from E3. First in-game screens for Ninja Destiny have also been shown off today by TOMY, so check them out in our media gallery below.

Naruto Shippuden: Ninja Destiny 2 features fast paced Naruto Shippuden 3D fighting action with the addition of an all-new Quest Mode, new characters, jutsu and a storyline based on the Naruto Shippuden animated series.